Hi guys, bear with me as I'm relatively new to Linux and haven't done any sort of fresh OS installs for a long time and trying to figure this out has had my patience running thin lol.
I have a cheap Lenovo laptop that meets the minimum requirements for Zorin OS and I would like a complete fresh install of Zorin.
I have attempted to install various versions of Linux on this device in the past to mixed results, but I really want to leave Windows behind and am going to give Zorin a solid try. I've run into this same issue in the past on this device with Linux where, after a fresh install on this laptop (wiping Windows from it), I end up boot looping on the BIOS /Lenovo logo screen.
I've tried Zorin PRO and Lite, same result.
I've played with the boot options (which are pretty limited) and I've tried deleting all partitions entirely during the Zorin install process, but I end up with the same result.
Is there something I'm missing or can this laptop just not run Linux??
The laptop is a Lenovo IdeaPad 1 11IGL05
1.1 Ghz Intel processor
Intel UHD Graphics 600
DDR4 2400 4gb RAM
with an eMMC 5.1 64gb
Checking the boot options after install "ubuntu" shows at the top of the boot list, but moving it around with various combinations of legacy or uefi, etc still seems to have the laptop boot loop.
Can anyone figure out what I'm missing/doing wrong here?
I'll include a gallery of images (while attempting a fresh install of Zorin Lite with Minimal Installation) that could provide more insight, I'm at a loss as to what else to try tbh, but I'm sure I'm missing something very obvious:
See this thread for basic Installation advice, including checking SHA256 checksum of the .iso before use and turning off Secure Boot, Fast Boot in BIOS and Fast Start-Up in Windows. Before you install
The ISOs were downloaded directly from Zorin after paying for Pro.
I've already wiped windows in previous attempts, do I need to worry about the Fast Start Up option?
Also I don't seem to have Secure or Fast Boot options in my BIOS (pictured in the IMGUR link on my post)
I've followed the zorin install guide multiple times.
Just seen that. Those emmc drives often feature in installation and other issues here on the forum.
I assume you have chosen the first installation method i.e. replace windows with Zorin.
Can you run Gparted from your installation USB in "Try Zorin" mode and post a screenshot of the partitions created on that emmc drive.
I've got Gparted up but I'm not sure how to make ext4 as "root" don't seem to have that option anywhere, unless you mean as the first boot option?
Fat32 was already set to Boot under flags.
Managed to make a 1mb unallocated partition that I can't seem to delete though lol
@redline Note you can upload screenshots (and other pictures) to show in your post, by using the Upload tool, 6th from left, in the Reply box toolbar.
EDIT: I see you have found how to do that as you posted in parallel with me typing. Zab
I am just wondering if Boot Repair app from the Zorin USB would fix your boot loop problem. You may wish to give that a try.
aye, this post was meant to go on reddit first hence the imgur, but gave up due to the auto mod just deleting it for some reason.
I'll try the boot repair app
Hi mate, how do I do this? (sorry, replied with a gparted screenshot further up the chain but couldn't find out how to set this partition up as "root")
Mount is greyed out in Gparted. I tried to follow this in the installer, and thought it was done but looking at it in Gparted now, there's no "root" flag attached or anything different to how it was before.
Still stuck boot looping
These four points have been covered unfortunately. I followed the Zorin official install guide. I'm trying Lite but no joy either way.
Honestly at a loss, here.
It is also important if you have a legacy BIOS or an UEFI. In your screenshot is displayed something with UEFI first and your computer is not so old, so I think, you have an UEFI or you can switch to it. Is this right?
The Zorin Boot USB Stick should be set to the filesystem the computer uses, MBR for legacy BIOS and GPT for UEFI.
It may be an idea to install again, but use the "Something Else" method. That gives you manual control of creating the partitions and selecting device for boot loader installation
EDIT:
I thought that was how redline had done their installation so far. i.e. not "Something Else" method.
There remains two questions I am not clear about:
Is the BIOS UEFI or Legacy?
Which USB creation tool was used and which of GPT or MBR options was selected at that time.
Did you check if secure boot is disabled? It should be disabled. On the screenshots of your BIOS/UEFI this is not displayed. You can find it at the tab "security"?
Did you switch to UEFI in Boot mode if it with legacy support doesn't work?
I am going to attempt to insert @redline 's 4 screenshots from imgur to make things a bit easier to see in the thread.
The OP is now amended with 4 screenshots added.
(I had to change my browser from Librewolf to Firefox to do the edit though.)
